Variable-speed gear.



CHRIS TER COCK.-

VARIABLE SPEED GEAR.

APPLlcATIoN FILED JuNEzI. 19H.

Patented. Jan.1,1918. i

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Ii SMI* CHRIS TER COCK.

VARIABLE SPEED GEAR.

APPLlcAlou FILED JUNE 21. 1911.

Patented Jan.1,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

oirnrs TEAR COCK, or Lon-non, ENGLAND;

vnnmnnnssrnnn GEAR.

Specification of Letters, Patent.

Patented Jan. i, i918.;

aplicaran@ was ai, wir., sain mela To all whom t may, concern.'

Be it known that I, CHms 'rnR Coen,y a

subject of the Queen of the Netherlands, @lidi residing at London, in England, Ahavev invented certain new and useful Improve. ments in Variable-*Speed Gears, of which the following is-a specification,

This invention relates to. variable speed gears of the countershaft or lay shaft type having clutches or gear wheels sov that the driving and driven shafts can be conne/@Cd so that they rotate at different speeds by moving the clutches or gear wheels which are slidable upon one or other of the shafts. The present invention has particular reference to, mechanism in which the changes of gear are eifected by a control shaft capable of rotary motion to select the gear to be operated and also capable of being moved in the. direction of its axis. to operate the selected gear. Y

Various. arrangements have been proposed whereby the control shaft has been brought into operative connection with gear-.operating members mounted upon a shaftl parallel to the control shaft.

According to this invention the gear-operating members are mounted concentricaljly with the control shaft and each gear-operating member has two ormore engaging surfaces one or more on each side of the selector on the control shaft, these surfaces being out of ali-nement so. that when the selectoris in alinement with one of the surfaces rotary movement of the control shaft is necessary to bring it into position to engage with the other surface.

The gear-operating members are joined, say, by rods or levers, in any convenient way to the clutch members or loose gear wheels of the gear box.vv l

Both` the rotary or selecting movement and the movement in the direction of the axis of the shaft lor operating movement may be lnought about electrically in any well known way or on the other hand both motions may be imparted to ythe members concerned pure-ly mechanically but a convenient` construction' particularly applicable for use with afvariable speed gear for a self-pro` pelled road vehicle, is one in which the ro-l tary movement is effected by hand through suitable gearing while the movement in the direction ofthe axis ot the shaft is brought about by one or morev solenoids.

Such eeastructoas:illustrated matically in the accompanying drawings, in Whichl FigureV l is a longitudinal section showing the essential partsjof the gear in the neunel; position,

Fig'. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-.2 of Fig. l looking in the. direction of the arrow.

Eig.` 3 is a section on the line Be-S look-ing in the direction of the arrow.,

Fig., A is a diagram showing thel controller and electrical', connections.

F ig. 5y shows in detail a part of the controller lever, and

Fig.v 6`is aysectional View; on Ia larger scale of' a switch fori'ninoV part of'Fig.

`Witlgl reference rst toFig. I, A is a control shaft which can be partially rotated' by a lever A acting through bevel gear A2 and a long pinion A3 whichI engages with a' spur wheel A4 on the shaft Athe arrangement being such that the shaft A may be moved the direction of its axis without disengaging the spur vwheel A4 from the long pini011 Aaa yU on the shaft Aare mounted two selector members B and B. which coperate respectively with two" gear-operating Ameinbers C and C each mounted around the shaft which can, in some positions, slide through them. The gear-operating membersl G and C are box-li`llte structures linclosing the selector members B and B" respectively'. The gear-operating member C has two internal projecting portions D and D at 90 to eachother and on opposite sides off the selector member B.` The 'other gear-operating member C" is similarlyV provided with internally projecting members D2 and D3. These projections D; D", 132 and D3 form engaging surfaces cooperating with the selector' members B andj'B when the control shaft is turned into' the appropriate positions This arrangement is 'onlygiven by way ofexam'ple and is suitable foral viariable speed gear which is only requiredv to give, say three forwardspeeds,k a reverse speed and a neutral position.

rlhe gear-operating member C is provided with a rod E connected to a spindle F slidably mounted in .bearings and connected to one of.' the 100s@ Wheels F 0i the chene@ speed gear'. Another rod EC connected to the lgear-operating memberv C would ybe similarly operatively connected to another lo' 'gJG vVV-llfl Whlffhi llQWeVeFg not shown in the drawings. t will be' understood that the variable speed gear itself may be of the well known countershaft or lay rshaft type with either clutches or .sliding gear wheels. A spring G is placed between themembers C and C and those members are supported in any convenient way so as -to slide in bearings which are, however, not

`shown in the diagram. e.

The gear-operating member C is provided with three notches any one of which can be engaged by the bolt or pin of a locking device H. This locking device is shown in section in Fig. 2. AIt iselectromagnetic and comprises a pin H which acts as the core and two coils H2 and H4 either of which when-,energized canlift the pin H outof engagement with the notch inthe member C against-the action of a spring H5 the function of which is to returnthe pin into its lockingposition when the'coils H2, H4 are neither of them energized.

The member-C is also furnished with three notches and with a locking device H This locking device is shown in section in Fig'. 3 and comprises a pin H7, coils H8 and H9V and a spring H10 all acting in a manner similarto that described with reference to the locking device shown in Fig. 2.

The gear-operating member C carries two contacts Jy and J and the member C 1s provided with similar-contacts J2 and J3.

These workin Vconjunction with fixed con: tacts K, K', K2 and K2 ina manner described more particularly hereinafterl with reference to the diagram. Y

At the end ofthe control shaft A remote from the gear A2 A3, etc., is an electromagnet or solenoid L provided with two coils L', L2, the arrangementl being such that when' the coil L is energized the shaft A is pulledto the right and when the coil L2 is energized it is moved to theleft. The shaft A tends to be kept in the neutral position shown inthe drawings by means of springs M, M2 held between collars M3 M4 on the shaft and .having between them a loose coloperating member C and iftherefore they coil L2 of the solenoid L be energized and the locking pin H ofthe locking rdevice H withdrawn, ythe control shaft A will vbe Qmoved to the left carrying with it the gearoperatng member .C with its 'lever .or rod E'and the connected mechanism. This movementwill be suflicient to bring into operation, say, the first forward speed and when that .position is reached the gear-operating `member C is locked in its new position by the pin H. y

As soon as the coil L2 of the solenoid L is denergized, which takes place as hereinafter described as soon as the gear-operating member AC has been moved into its new position, the control shaft A and the selectors B and Bmove back'under the influence of thel springs M M2 into their neutral position.

Supposingnow it be desired toV change the gear to the second forward speed' the control shaft A would be rotated clockwise, z'. e. in the direction of the arrow a, to bring the selector B rin line` with .theengaging surface D3 of the gear-operating member C', the electrically controlled .locking pin H would be lifted to allow the gear-operating member C to returnl to itsneutral position, the locking pin H7 wouldbe withdrawn to free the gear-operatingmember vC and the solenoid coil'L wouldbeenergized to cal'ise the shaft VA to move tothe right inthe direction yof its axis thus carrying the' gearv operating member C in the samedrection to effect the necessary change: of gear through the lever E and the mechanism to which it is connected. v 1

Similarly the selector B could be brought into position to engage with the surface D2 of the gear-operating member'C lby a further rotary motion of the shaft A through 900 to bring the thirdspeed into operation.

Cr, again, Va further rotation ofthe shaft through another` 90 would bring the selector B of the gear-operating Vmember C into line with the engaging surface Dso that a movement of the shaft Ato the right through the action of the'coil L- would carryk the gear-operating member C in that direction to effect, say, a' reverse drive. Obviously if the appropriate arrangements are made this last position of the controlshaft might be brought aboutl by a partial rotation of the shaft A in a counterclockwise direction through y 90o from thev position shownv in Fig. linstead .ofa clockwise rotation through 270.l

The electrical ,arrangements which the longitudinal movementAY of the control shaft A and the consequentmove'ments of the gearoperating members arev brought about are.

sliownbv wayof example only in Figs. lV and 5.' The quadrant P is intended to be Xed beneaththe lever A and is provided with fiverowsof contacts lthe third row beging simply a contact bar 1 in permanent connection with a negative pole fof anaccu'- mulator R. The contacts'Q, 3 and 8, 9 of the top` row are connectedtogether and are joined 'by the conductor Al0 to 0116-61161- of the winding H* ofy ythe locking` dtVQe. Similarly the contacted, 5 6 and: Z Yof-ttie same row are all .Connected tLQ the H .ot the locking Cle-vice H6.

The second row ccnssts 0f three Contacts 12 connected together and by. acondncten 13 to one winding S of electromagnetic switch S, the other end of that windingfhe? ing joined by the conductor 14: to the Winde ings H4 and H9 of thelocking devices and H6. This electromagnetic switch-AS;

' shown in further detail in Fig.. Gy its general construction being similar to that 'of the solenoid L in that it has, two S and S2- the winding S serving to ino7 the core in one direction, c'. c. to lJ-.iff-t 4 switch is arranged'vertieal'ly as in Fig., 6;, and the other winding: S2' serving to. rngne the core in the other direction. The Ysgr-d ofthe core carries a head S3 of insnlatlng material carrying two contacts. Si which.; are connected together and may conveniently be provided with small springs SS. hibone these contacts S5 carriedon some; supe port are two other contacts T T- and when the core is lifted by current passing through the coil S the gap between these two contacts T and T is closed' bythe connected contacts S5 being brought up against them.v It will be seen-'that the. head1/ Si is provided with two grooves which arel engaged by springs U. Vhen the switch is open c'. e. in the position shown in Fig, 6 these springs engage with the upper ,grcove and when the coil S is energized and the core is lifted t-he springs engage. with. the lower groove so that t-he switch is kept closed when the current in the coil S is cut oif until the coil S2 is energized when the corey is forced down again into the position shown in Fig. 6 and the circuitisbroken at the contacts T T.

The fourth row of contacts on the quadrant P consists of four members the two end contacts 15 and 16.` being joined together and connected by the conductor-,1T to. the winding H3 of the locking device H, The other two contacts of this row Nos. 18 and 19 are connected together and are joined by the conductor 20 to the coil H5 ofthe locking device H6.

The first and third contacts Nos.l 21and 22 of the fifth row are connected together and are joined byy the conductor, V25 tor the coil L2v of the solenoid L while the second and fourth contacts Nos. 2.1L and 2,5. are Yconnected together and are joined' by the. conductor 26 to the coil L of the solenoid.

The contacts J, J, J2' and J3 carried thel geareoperatingmembers and C lare all joined throughthe .condllctor4 to the negativez'pole .off the accumulator R .and that pole is'also joined by the conductor 2to each of thewfindings. L4 Lzfjof; the solen'eidil @eindexamensdit cooperating withA theconta :ts.l el', and.

respectively are all.c(,in/:riected,tov tliiewind.- ieg" S? et. .the electvQmag-ietc Switch! the @then end ofthatwinding being joined by a conductor 29. to the, winding S. ofthey switch, tothe Contact T and also by thelconducten-14: to the windings Htand H9 ofthe locking devicesv H and H6. The other. con.- tact'. T of the switch is joined. by the conductor 3,0 to the. wiinilings,`H?` and HS. of the leaking devices find. The positive. pele off the acciunulati R. iS joined by a conductor 31 to` thefconductor 14 and thus tothe vai-ions points which are in permanent electrical connection with, that conductor.

The crm or lever A which movesy Otel? the, qnadrant P carries three contacts which coperate with thefcontacts on the quad-l rant. These contacts carried: by the arm A are shown in Fig. 5 which isA sectional view'drawn to a somewhatI larger'scale of a pnrfll ofthe arm A in position over the quadrant One contact. V is Siinplyr a bridge adapted to connect'the contacts forni:- ingthe fourth and fifth rows, together when the is above, them. L Another contact` V serves to connect the contact, bar lof the quadrant with. the contacts 2, 3, 4, 5. etc., forming: the first row. This. contact. Y is permanent. electrical connection with a spring contact V2'containe'd in a cavity in the arm A and another. springcontact V3 opposite the' spring contact V? is joined through an insulated stud to another con'- tact V4 which slides over and makes connection with the, contacts 12 forming the second row on the'quadrant P.; The gap between the. spring contacts/V2 and V3 is normally closed by a connecting plug V5 onthe end of a push rod V@ carried by the Af but if the rod VG be pushed in against its spring V7 insulation is interposed between the spring contacts V2 and yV3 to break the circuit between the contact V and the contact V4. As the contacts 12 over which the contact V4 passes are joined to thev coil S of the electromagnetic switch S,- which acts. to close the, circuit controlled by that switch it is obvious that if the push .rod V6 ispushed in no current can fiow through that coil and consequently the electromagnetic switch cannot be closed. This provision is made so that the` electromagnetic switch need not be energized when the lever is moved quickly from, say, the first speed to the second or fourth speeds so that the .intermediate speeds are not put into operation.

The pairs .of contacts 15, 21; 1,8, 24; V19, 22 and. 16,. 25. are those. which must be. be- .nath the arm A toi'y the rsc Second third and" fourth. 0r reverse Speeds respectively and fOr the# reason the. numbers L 1L l acl. 1V creplcccd adjacent to. these. Contacts ico ,Suppose now that the gear is in the neuleft hand contact 12 as shown in Fig.- 4.

The push rod V6 is not pushed in*V and consequently .the contact 12 is connected to the bari 1.-y Current therefore fiows from the positivepole of the accumulator through conductor 341,'coil S, conductor 13, contact 12, contact barl to the negative pole'of the accumulator. "The coil S yis energized, the core of the, electromagneticv switch is pulled up and the gap between' the contacts 'T and T is yclosed and willremain closed untiltlne'switch-S2 is energized.

' The switch arm .'A is now moved over the contacts 15,21 which are accordingly connected by the Contact V.' LThe' circuit now is from the positive pole of the accumuyl'ator R, through conductor 31, contacts T, T', conductor 30, coil H3 of the locking device H, conductor 17, ycontacts 15, 21,-conductor 23, coil L2 `of the solenoid L to the negative pole of thev accumulator. Thus the lockingV pin His raised' and freesl the gear-operating member'C, *thev coil L2 of the solenoid is energizedA and moves the control shaft A' tothe left carrying with it the gear-operating member VC and shifting the gear into the first speed. At the end ofthis movement ofthe gear-operating memberC the Vcontact J, makes connection with the *fixed contact VK, this completes the circuit rthrough the coil S2 of the electromagnetic switch SandV pulls the core down, opening the main `circuit at the contacts T T. The effect' of this is to denergize the coil H3 of the `locking Idevice H" andcOnSeQuentl-y the pin H falls and locks the gear-operat- The coil ingv member in its new position.

HL2 fof the solenoid isalso denergized and .the control shaft A will beV shifted baclrfinto its neutral position by the action ofthe springs'fM" M2 although it does notV carry vthe gear-'operating memberwith it. v Vhile the arm A remains in this position over the contacts 15, 21 the gear will continue to run on the first 'speed but no current will be taken from the accumulator R. Supposing now it be desiredv to 'change from the rst speedto the second speed, the arm isl moved .tothe right from position I'to'position H.

"The arm first passes over the contact 3 and the efect of this is 'to energize the .coil H4 Vof the locking deviceH and lift the'pin H to allow the gear member 4C 'to goback into its neutral position. Tt is tofbe notedrthat the two coils Ht and H9 are vindependent -of the vcircuit controlled by the switch S for one end of each'of these coils isconnected through the conductors 1a san :l' `3fl permanently to the positive vpoleofthe acvvover the intermediate contacts.` 12. j'preventsthevcircuitof the coil S of the vswitchS beingA completed' and thus has'the cumulator R. Thuswhen either of the contacts 2, 3; 4,I 5, etc., in the'iirst row of contacts onthe quadrant is connectedto the contact bar 1 e. to-the negative pole of' theaccuniulator, eithery thel coil H4 or the coilfHB-is energized to ylift the locking pin 'andallo'w the gear-operating member which itcontrols to take upl its `neutralsposi-v tion It will also benoticed that the contacts 2, 3; '-1,=5,1` etc., are joined in .pairs disposed on either side of the position occupied by the arm A when it is over the fconmovement of thearm'causes it to pass Vover the contact 4: energizing the coil H9 ofthe locking device H6 but as the gear- 2erating member C isalready'inv its neutral position the locking-pin `HT simply liftsand falls again. The arm now reaches the position H .making connection between the contacts 18 and 24. The circuit is now as follows from the positive poleofthe accumulator through conductor 31. 'contacts T. T, conductor 30., coil H8 'ofthe locking device H,

conductor 20,*contacts18 and 24, conductor 26, coil L of the solenoid L', conductor 2S to the negative pole of the accumulator. Hence the locking pin H7 is raised freeing the gear-,operating member CfthecoilL pulls the control shaft A -totlie right and the gear-operating member'C is Vmoved in vthe samedirectionand brings the gear into thevsecondv speed. Uien this position is attained thel .cf-)ntactJ3 makes connection with the contact K3 and completes the cir- .cuit through thebreaking coil S2k of the :electromagnetic switch S, consequentlv the 'main circuit is opened at the contacts T. T

and the current is cut eilt/the gear-operating member C being' engaged 1n its new-position bv the locking pin H7.

" l A similar series of operations will take place whenvthe arm -A is'moved from position 'Il topositi'on IH or from position IH to position IV and so on. j Y. l Shouldit-be desired to pass from, say, the first speed to the third or fourth speed with- 'outishiftin'g the gear intothe intermediate speeds allvtba't it is necessary todo isto push the rod''/v6 in as the arm A.1s pasrslhng is eii'ect of keeping openy the main circuit at ,thev contacts T, 'If'. 'The push rod 'V6 Would marina be .released ,terme-e ,the ,Switch am lpassed over. thelast contactlQ before reaching the positionforthe speed which' it Was desiredv to, throw in.

,It isto be unde stoodthat theangular or Setting mvement O the .Clintrol` Shaft, A may be brought about by the nioveinentnof thelerer Ai A,the 1gear A?, At. ,Abeing Pfe- Pertpned aceorinslvand any Suitable previsibnleey be madeysucli, 91 @Kamplaes bysleavine' ont avwQth-at Certain restless olf the. gear wheelsA, @z -tito insure' that the. .complete angular, movement necessary for the. setting 0f the V.Central Shaft .is med@ before the coil of the solenoid L is energized to move the shaft longitudinally. y

Any senrenentediustmellt may-be provided for the fixedcontacts KQIQ?, K3 sov that' they come into v`operation with the contacts J, J J2, J at exactly tlieuright vvtime i, e: .tillen the gearsnntrelled by the mela bers C and Q2 aremintheir proper engaging and disengaging positions.

It is convenient to'effect the rotary` movement of the` control shaft A as described Y mechanically but if desired electrical means may be employed for that purpose. In such a case a small motor might be used geared to the shaft or again some Well known electrical step-by-step mechanism might be employed.

It is to be understood that the construction illustrated is given purely by Way of example and may be varied in detail Without departing from the spirit of this invention. For instance, the gear-operating members C and C may have any desired number of engaging surfaces not merely tvvo each as in the particular example shown. Again, the depth of the engaging surfaces may vary so that the gear-operating member would be moved in the same direction but to a greater or less extent depending upon Which of the projecting surfaces were selected by the rotary movement of the shaft.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In variable speed gear of the countershaft or lay shaft type having sliding clutches -or gear Wheels and a control shaft capable of rotary movement to select the gears to be operated and also capable of movement in the direction of its axis to operate the selected gear, the combination With the control shaft and selectors mounted thereon of gear-operating members mounted concentrically with the control shaft eachv gear-operating member having an engaging surface on each side of the selector these surfaces being out of alinement with each other so that when the selector is in alinement With one of the surfaces rotary movement of the control shaft is necessary to bring it into position to engage with the nother.surface*substantially as set forth.

2, 'Ilie combinationrivith'variable speed gearof the kind described of control shaft capable lof movement ahrotary `direction and also in' the Vdirection of'its axis,` a plurality of selecting devices I 7each comprising a selector `fixed on the shaft and a gearoperatingA member concentric therewith and having an'engaging surface on each side of thefselecton/ lmeans for movingvv the shaft in ahrotarydireetionby hand and electromagnetic meansfor moving the lcontrol shaft in theA direction of its axis substantially as set forthw A. i

, 5111i variables'p'eed, gear of the kind described tlie combination ofya control shaft capablelof'movement in a rotary direction and also in the direction of its axis,` a pluralityof selectors fixed on the shaft, a gearoperating member for`- yeachwselector, each gear-operating member being concentric with the shaftand having an engaging surface on each sidey of ltheiselector, a spring tending to keepthe gear-operating members apart, means for partially rotating the shaft to. set the selectors in relation to the engaging surfaces, a solenoid adapted to move the shaft in the direction of its axis in either direction, a spring for'returning the shaft into its neutral position and electrically controlled locking devices forl engaging the gear-operating members.

4. In a variable speed gear of the kind described the combination of a control shaft capable of movement in a rotary direction and also in the direction of its axis, a plurality of selectors fixed on the shaft, a gearoperating member for each selector, each gear-operating member being concentric with the shaft and having an engaging surface on each side of the selector, a spring tending to keep the gear-operating members apart, means for partially rotating the shaft to set the selectors in relation to the engaging surfaces, a solenoid adapted to move the shaft in the direction of its axis in either direction, a spring for returning the shaft into its neutral position, electrically controlled locking devices for engaging the gear-operating members and means for breaking the electric circuits of the solenoid and locking devices when the gear has been moved into its operative position.

5. In variable speed gear of the kind described the combination of a control shaft capable of movement in a rotary direction and also in the direction of its axis, a plurality of selectors fixed on the shaft, a gearoperating member for each selector, each gear-operating member being concentric with the shaft and having an engaging surface on each side of the selector, a spring tending to keep the gear-operating members apart, means for partially rotating the shaft Cir to set the selectors in relation to the engaging locking devices for engaging the gear-'operatingmembers, an electromagnetic switch for setting the circuits of the solenoid and locking devices and contacts operated by the gear-operating members, and controlling the electromagnetic switch to cause it to open tlie circuits of the solenoid and locking devices When the gear has been moved into its operative position. v

6. In variable speed gear of the kind described the combination of a control shaft capable of movement in a rotary direction and also in the direction of its axis, a plurality of selectors fixed on the shaft, a gearoperating member for each selector, leach gear-operating member being concentric With the shaft'and having an engaging surface on each side of the selector, a spring tending to keep the gear-operating members copies of this patent may be obtained for direction, al spring for returningthe shaft into its neutral position, electrically controlled locking devices for fengaging the gear-operating members, an electromagnetic switch for setting the circuits of the solenoid and locking devices, mechanical means for retaining such switch in its closed position until released and contacts operated by the gear-operating members and Vcontrolling the electromagnetic switch to cause it to open the circuits of the solenoid and locking ,devices when the gear has been moved into its operative position' v In testimony Wherof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of ktvvo subscribing Witnesses.

i CHRIS TER COCK. Witnesses:

PUTNAM EDWARD DUNBAR KrLBoURN.

ARCHIBALD JOHN FRENCH.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washingtom-ILC. 

